Paradigm Titans+friend's opinion

[BC Dave]

Hello,

I had a buddy visiting from out of town over the weekend. He is really into home theater gear and sat down to listen to my system. He gave my sub (passive VMPS Oiginal with new Megawoofer/passive radiator) a big thumbs up but did not like my Paradigm Titans in the front. He said they were "edgy" and suggested that I move my rears -- more expensive Image Concept 100s purchased in 1990 -- to the front. (these were designed by Ian Paisley of Mirage (API) if I recall correctly and have pretty sophisticated drivers.) I could hear an immediate improvement. The Images were smoother and more forgiving on saxophone music and vocals. My friend said they were in a different league and I had to agree.
Two questions:

A. Many people rave about the Titans, but can they be edgy and in-your-face?
B. I no longer have a timbre matched front end (with one Paradigm CC-170V4 and two Concept 100s) but the sound still seems pretty well matched and very musical in dolby digital or Prologic II mode. If this setup sounds better than three Paradigms across the front, is there anything wrong with running it this way? Thanks in advance.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

A. I don't think so personally, but they are a budget speaker.
B. If it works for you, keep it. Its not like the HT police are gonna take your birthday away.

 

[Sheep]

A. I don't think so personally, but they are a budget speaker.
B. If it works for you, keep it. Its not like the HT police are gonna take your birthday away.

Funny, AND agreeable.

I agree. Everyone has taste differences (and sometimes forget this).

SheepStar

 

[Kai]

I too have the Titans and was using them for my fronts with Atoms for my surrounds. I thought they sounded great until I auditioned a pair of Monitor 3's. My local shop has a pretty good Paradigm line set up for listening so I compared the Titans to the 3's using a range of my favorite artists.
Compared to the 3's the Titans had a mild harshness in the upper mid range specifically in the vocal range. I never noticed this until the comparison.

I bought the 3's and they are now my fronts. I am still using the Atoms for surrounds due to the wife side eyeing me...no big deal the Atoms are great as surrounds.

So yes I have noticed that "edginess" in the Titans but not enough to every worry about.